Monday, June 1, 2015

If you’re lucky enough to own a set of sterling silver flatware, you
either want to keep it and use it, or perhaps sell it. A quick look at
eBay shows antique sterling silver flatware sets bidding for around
$3,000.00!

Whether you want to keep or sell your set, it should be
clean, shiny, and well organized. Here’s how to properly clean and care
for a sterling silver flatware set.

Understanding tarnish

Sterling
silver, and other metals, including copper, brass, and aluminum,
require regular cleaning and tarnish removal. Tarnish is a thin layer of
corrosion that forms over time from the metal’s exposure to hydrogen
sulfide, normally present in the air. Tarnish can also develop after
contact with wool, felt, or certain foods. That electrochemical process
is called oxidation.

Tarnish usually forms as a dull grey or black
coating over the silver. Interestingly, tarnish is self-limiting, which
means it only affects the top few layers of the metal. The outer layers
of tarnish actually seal and protect the underlying layers, which is
why a good cleaning can restore silver to its shiny original state.

Before you begin

You
want to clean your silver, not damage it. To avoid doing so, use a
non-abrasive silver cleaner that requires rinsing after use. Silver
cleaners that require rinsing are usually less abrasive, so look for
brands that state the cleaner is "non-abrasive."

Do not use
chemical dips for cleaning sterling silver flatware, as they contain
corrosive acids. Also, do not put your sterling silver flatware in the
dishwasher.

First,
place the flatware in the plastic dishpan. Add a teaspoon of
non-lemon-scented, phosphate-free hand dishwashing liquid and fill the
pan with warm water. Wash the flatware with a soft dish towel and remove
oils, fingerprints, and debris.

Rinse the flatware with warm water and dry with the soft cotton towel.

Next,
clean light tarnish by wiping the area lightly with a cotton ball
moistened with white vinegar or non-abrasive cleaner. Dry the flatware
with the towel.

To remove heavier tarnish, apply a small amount
of non-abrasive silver cleaner to a soft cloth and rub the flatware
gently from side to side, or up and down. Do not use circular motions,
and do not apply an excess amount of cleaner to the silver—use only the
amount needed to remove the tarnish.

Rinse the cleaner off the
flatware, and wipe off any dried cleaner with the towel. To remove
residual cleaner from nooks or patterns, use a dry artist's horsehair
paintbrush.

Rinse the cleaned flatware with warm water and dry with a soft cotton towel.

Polish the sterling silver dinnerware with a silver polishing rouge cloth to restore the silver's shine and luster.